This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
On Christmas Day, December 26, 2019, a devastating fire swept through a three-bedroom wooden house in Gaikuyu Village, Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, claiming the lives of five family members.
Charles Maina, 34, his wife Grace Gathoni, 28, their two children Simon Miano, four, and Kevin Mambo, seven, and the couple's niece Susan Gathoni, 13, all died in the night fire.
According to Jane Waceke, a neighbour, the family was peaceful and had no disputes with anyone. She had even shared a meal of chicken with them on Christmas, but had to decline their invitation to join them later.
Magutu Chief Samuel Mukeba was alerted to the fire at midnight and immediately called the fire brigade. However, by the time he arrived at the scene, the fire had already engulfed the house, and the family was burnt beyond recognition.
The cause of the fire was still unclear, but locals said the family had no disputes with anyone. The bodies were taken to Karatina Level 4 Hospital mortuary.
